Closed: Gone Writing

As for now I will be on a break from blogging and etc. Things are quite busy at our house. June is more chaotic than I thought. I have no idea when I will be able to return. Hopefully before the end of the month.

Between getting new carpet {after waiting 15 years for it}, a new fence {almost 10 years for that}, and making over mine and my sister's room, oh and not to mention that visit/vaca with my aunt is coming up...life is so busy. I want to finish edits on my novel to hopefully query by the start of autumn. Though it seems like I have more than enough time, it is already June. Why am I always surprised how fast the year goes by???

I will still be following other's blogs, commenting, etc... Until then I'm on hiatus. :-/

~Sean

PS. While you have the time, I'd appreciate if you could vote again on this poll I created through my facebook page. Blogger was being it's usual pain in the butt and whether you voted or not it was not working properly. Here is the LINK and so far it is working. YAY!

Book Giveaway

Chronically Vintage is holding a wonderful book giveaway just in time for the release of The Great Gatsby...

So hope on over and you'll have a chance of receiving this novel!

On Schedule

For a while now I've noticed how this blog is just lacking something. Just recently I was able to pin point what that was. I need a blogging schedule. A lot of lovely bloggers have it and I've already reserved Wednesdays for Pinsperation posts. Now all I have to do is try and figure out what to do with the 6 other days of the week.

Here is where you come in.

I have some suggestions of what mainly interests myself and hopefully you'll enjoy them as well. Also I want to get back to doing outfit posts. I love seeing others and yet I never do them. I need to fix that.

• Outfit posts
• Reviews {clothing, health & beauty, books, movies, etc...}
• This Day in History posts
• Flashback/Throwback posts
• Old Hollywood day
• Tutorials
• Literature & Writing
• And of course a personal post/update

On the sidebard you should see a poll of these topics for you to cast your vote for. Remember I am not just a vintage lover, but also a writer/book worm. ;-) I know the last time I had this you all voted for outfit posts, so I will omit that in this poll.

Now it is up to you! I look forward to seeing what you want most.

Pinsperation {Room Makeover}

I honestly almost forgot about this week's pinsperation!! So here's what I was able to put together last minute.

This year I have decided to give my room a makeover. I'm in the process for saving up for a new bed frame and shedding my childish decor. When I first decorated my room I was just a little girl, only eight-years-old. I continued to make some changes and chose a captain's bed because of the convenience of their drawers. However, now at the age of twenty-three, I'm a woman and need more of an adult and mature decor for my little space!

Transform my ca. 1920s desk into a vintage vanity. Since we have a laptop on the main floor and it's been a while since my beloved baby computer was laid to rest, I have not properly used my desk. So far it is just collecting dust and junk...well, and lots of books.

I also need a chair for my wonderful vanity. I'm thinking of rummaging through thrift shops and antique stores to see what I can find. If that doesn't work, I'll probably do something artsy with it and get fabric paint and make a new piece unique. {You can see the tutorial here...}

After Jessica {Chronically Vintage} tagged me in this photo on pinterest, I've decided it needed to be apart of my room makeover. I bought a vintage insp frame for it and all I have to do is print off this beauty and give it a place on a night stand or even book shelf. How appropriate since it is an antique publishing company poster.

I have this cute retro lamp, but the shade just seems pretty blah. It is a pale blue and though it matches my curtains and goes with my bedspread, I need a pop of something very retro for it. Browsing etsy, there are loads of vintage insp lamp shades with these cute fabrics. Now all I have to do is decide which one I love the most.

These would be some ober cute pillows 1} because I wear my spectacles proudly and 2} they are perfect for a vintage loving writer. Maybe I can find some material that has this essence and make some pillow cases up with it.

I'm thinking of this daybed for my new bed. It has a vintage feel to it. Believe it or not, Mom bought this same one and I really liked it. However, it may be out of my price range. But I have some back-ups in mind.

After I am able to accomplish all of my room makeover goals, I will most definitely give you a tour. Just be prepared to wait a few months for it. :-)

NOW WHAT?! {Part Two}

If you haven't checked out Part One already, go ahead before reading this post...

I am allergic to gluten, now what? I'm a celiac...what the heck is that?

I researched my heart out the day after we made the discovery. We stopped by the library and I picked up two very helpful books. One was by Elisabeth Hasselbeck and the other was an Idiots Guide to G-free eating. I remember a few years ago hearing about one of the hosts on the View had this problem, but never gave it much thought. As I was reading her book, I couldn't believe how much I can relate.

The more I read, the more websites I looked up really helped to point me into the right direction. I knew it would be a daunting challenge my first week, but when you really have no other option it's best to have a positive outlook on your situation.

Week 1
I did my best to cut out anything and everything g-full. Mom helped me to pick out some frozen dinners that appeared to have no gluten. Boy was I wrong. I read the ingredients, comparing it with the G-Free Diet Guide I had and I was still pumping gluten into my body. No wonder I was still having issues. I kept reading those pesky labels and even within days began to feel a difference. That week I had a hair appointment to get a trim and was talking to my stylist about my week. Before she used the product she said to herself, "I don't know if this is g-free..." I simply replied, "Oh, once a month isn't going to bother me that much." Again, I made another slip up. Only after minutes of getting  home, I was doubled over in pain.

Week 2
I believe week two went much better than the prior week. I didn't have to live off chex cereal and yogurt for almost every meal. I found this yummy meal and made enough for the week. For the entire week I was able to cut out everything edible that contained gluten. I even got a bread mix {results shown HERE}. Things were turning around.

Week 3
I cannot begin to describe how much better I was feeling. It hadn't been a full month and I, and my family, can tell a drastic difference in how I'm feeling.

I'll be soon entering week 5 and not only have I eliminated all g-full foods and liquids, but have rid myself of all g-full cosmetics. It's ridiculous how they put gluten in your cosmetics...c'mon now!

I've had some slip ups and even some reactions, but I know now that it will pass. I have begun exercise to try and reverse what the gluten has done to my body. For a while now I've been dealing with joint and back/muscle pain. Apparently some of that are a detection of osteoporosis and arthritis...not kidding. I'm 23 and way too young to be dealing with that. To top it all off, I also think I am anemic from this, which really didn't surprise me. My iron levels have never really been high. Some red meat and green vegetables are helping.

I am now confident that every symptom and ailment that this blasted gluten has caused will eventually be reversed. I am thankful for God pointing us in the right direction...if only I listen more often. Thankful for my family who has been by my side, listened to my complaints, and comforted me when I needed it most. Of course I am thankful for all of you who cared so much and shared your stories with me. Most of all, I'm happy I'm not losing my mind, that I know what's wrong and the solution is simple.

May is Celiac Awareness Month. And for the first time I am very aware.

Pinsperation {Photoshoot Ideas}

This week's pinsperation is photoshoot ideas. As an author, I'll need some kick butt author photos for promotional purposes. What a better way to do that, than with a vintage inspired photos?!

I have always dreamed of doing a Rosie the Riveter photoshoot. Rosie is one of my fashion icons and just screams War Years. I have just about everything to do it. However, I don't feel as comfortable in front of the camera since I've gained some weight. Grr!! So hopefully in the future I'll be able to this.

Being a writer with a love for all things vintage, I love the idea of a vintage writer photoshoot. Dressed like a lovely 40s gal and sitting behind an old typewriter...now I just need to acquire a vintage typewriter.

Before Indiana's Bicentennial {2016} I would like to sew up a Federalist dress and maybe acquire some period correct undergarments as well. Because I would love to dress up as a Hoosier Pioneer woman homesteading her land...okay I've put way too much thought into that.

A Pinup photoshoot. Something like this photo of Katherine Heigl. Classy, cute, and hopefully accurate to the war years pinups. I'd even be willing to venture into the 50s as well. But after seeing how much Bunny, who is a fab pinup model, does it with such class and sass...I want to give it a go. :-)

Lost in the 50s - Shabby Apple Giveway

Here's another giveaway for $50.00 off any Shabby Apple item! Whether you want a dress, swimsuit, piece of jewelry...anything!

Here are some of my own favorites...

Snapdragon

West Coast Swing

Pina Colada

{but definitely NOT in magenta. I'm not a fan of this color at all.}

Cherry Print Vintage Blouse

If you want to join in on the giveaway, hop on over to Lost in the 50s blog...